Officials debate proposed redistricting maps’ clarity, fairness

While the state’s proposed redistricting maps await approval from the U.S. Justice Department, legislators and election officials continue to debate the maps’ clarity and fairness. OCT 11

Obama will fight to win North Carolina voters

President Barack Obama enchanted the nation with his platform of hope and change in 2008, winning traditionally conservative states such as North Carolina. SEP 20

NC General Assembly holds special session to discuss amendments

The N.C. General Assembly is convening today to hold its second special session since it adjourned in mid-June. SEP 15

Crowds in Asheville lose their tops in support of womens’ rights

In the 60s, women burned their bras in support of women’s rights. Now they’re just losing them. Recent rallies promoting women’s right to go topless, including one in Asheville, have sparked controversy about the extent to which women should flaunt this freedom. A multitude of topless women took over the streets of downtown Asheville Aug. SEP 6

Legislators remain unsure of how to deal with voter fraud

Though recent cases of voter fraud in Wake County have placed a renewed focus on voting laws in the state, legislators continue to spar about the proper method for reform. SEP 1

Board of Governors aims to avoid partisan divide

After its first official meeting of the academic year earlier this month, members of the UNC-system Board of Governors say meetings will not be divided along partisan lines despite the politically contentious appointments of new members in March. SEP 1

CUAB aims big, reaches out in a successful year

The Carolina Union Activities Board loves you. That slogan — developed by last year’s board president Amanda Kao — means exactly what it says. DEC 10

UNC a cappella groups rely on money for CDs, concerts

Singing a pop song in four-part harmony costs a lot of money. But for some of UNC’s a cappella groups, money is just a part of making music. MAR 9

Varsity Theatre to show rare Warhol films

With drag queens and graffiti artists on the silver screen, Andy Warhol’s mischievous legacy continues to work its way into Chapel Hill. In a rare showing of Warhol’s “Chelsea Girls,” one of the 20th century’s most controversial art films, the Ackland Art Museum and the Varsity Theatre aim to promote the artist’s media legacy while launching an ambitious new film partnership. NOV 18

Married couple marry love for Baroque music at Bach Festival at Raleigh Moravian Church

Both are from Pennsylvania, like soft pretzels and above all, share a passion for music. Husband and wife Michael Cyzewski and Judith Bruno met through the North Carolina Symphony’s Bryant Competition more than 25 years ago. This Sunday, the couple plays together at the Bach Festival at Raleigh Moravian Church. NOV 5

Corapeake exhibit at Stone Center

Ragged suit coats, an artist’s personal journal and faint voices looping in the background tell an intimate story that photographs alone do not. “Corapeake,” a multimedia exhibit by artist Kendall Messick, is currently on display at the Robert and Sallie Brown Gallery in the Sonja Haynes Stone Center. Messick, based in New York City, chronicles the intimate stories of the aging residents of the town of Corapeake, N.C. in an exhibition focused on preserving the memories of those often forgotten. OCT 15

Ackland Art Museum to open store on Franklin Street, though date has been postponed

The Ackland Art Museum is expanding its boundaries with a store on Franklin Street, but it’s unknown when its doors will open. The future home of the store at 100 East Franklin St. was originally scheduled to open in November, but has since been delayed indefinitely. OCT 6

Invisible rocks Ackland Art Museum

For an hour on Thursday night, a pair of musical mad scientists held court in the Ackland Art Museum.
Amidst a pile of old television monitors, keyboards and wires twisted together on the gallery floor, the alternative music group Invisible brought a decidedly modern flair to the classic art displays in the museum. SEP 27

Artist Louis St. Lewis shows work at local boutique

Artist Louis St. Lewis has painted with his own blood, sculpted with human bones and been kicked out of six art schools. His newest collection — free of blood — is featured at Franklin Street boutique Toots & Magoo this month. Lewis, who has lived in Chapel Hill since 1984, has gained an international reputation and keeps impressive company, photographed by pop artist Andy Warhol and praised by former Vogue Editor-at-Large André Leon Talley. St. SEP 14

Drama groups learn to talk

For a department that values self-expression, communication used to be a real problem for the department of dramatic arts. Multiple groups competing for the same theater space, numerous directorial boards and far too many productions meant that something had to change. SEP 2

Preservation society shows art

And for the Preservation Society of Chapel Hill, celebrating the work of contemporary visual artists is a larger part of their mission. The society, at the Horace Williams House on East Rosemary Street, uses its location as an increasingly popular gallery for artists across the Southeast. AUG 31

Music therapists improve lives of Chapel Hill patients

When modern medicine and words fall short, music can be a remedy that helps afflicted individuals both physically and emotionally.

Music therapists use music and music interventions to reach non-musical goals, such as improving physical, social, emotional and cognitive functions, said Elizabeth Fawcett, founder and director of the private practice Tar Heel Music Therapy.

As a music therapist, Fawcett is part of a growing field. There are about 130 certified professionals in North Carolina, and three universities in the state offer music therapy degrees. APR 22

Commissioned works provide opportunities for UNC performing groups

World premieres and commissioned pieces are a common theme among the arts at UNC.

These bring something new and unique to not only the University, but the community at large, several UNC faculty members and officials said.

“Universities are the most appropriate places to invest in creativity,” said Executive Director for the Arts Emil Kang.
APR 15

Singing group to draw on Native American heritage

Four voices, one goal — to increase awareness of and preserve Native American culture.
APR 4

Concert Review: Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul

St. Patrick’s Day brings out a little bit of Irish in everyone.

A sea of green audience members experienced true Irish tradition in Eileen Ivers and Immigrant Soul’s performance in Memorial Hall on Wednesday night.

The group provided a lively show combining the mediums of music, dance and video to chronicle the diaspora of Irish immigrants during the great potato famine and their experiences up to the present time.

McCoy Tyner and friends deliver a night of lively jazz, warmth at Memorial Hall

McCoy Tyner may not be able to walk very well — but he can really play some jazz. Our reviewer brings you the details from Thursday night’s latest addition to the Carolina Performing Arts series.

Jazz legend McCoy Tyner brings innovation, tradition to Memorial Hall Thursday

Four Grammy Awards and nearly 80 albums to his name, jazz pianist McCoy Tyner is an accomplished musician to say the least. And Thursday, Chapel Hill will get to experience his talent at UNC’s Memorial Hall.